Counter-Terrorism Police Investigate Arson Attacks on PM's Properties

Counter-terrorism police are investigating a series of arson attacks on properties linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with the head of Counter Terrorism Command issuing a rare statement urging MPs to contact police for support. The latest development comes as a 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of targeting two properties and a car linked to Sir Keir. Police sources say they are keeping an open mind as to the potential motive behind the alleged attacks, which could be linked to a hostile state, terrorism, or a lone actor with a personal grudge.

Key Takeaways:

• A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of targeting properties and a car linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with the operation being led by Scotland Yard's SO15 counter-terror command.
• The suspect's nationality has not been disclosed, and police are exploring various lines of inquiry, including the possibility of a hostile state or a lone actor with a personal grudge.
• Two properties and a car previously owned by Sir Keir Starmer were targeted, with the attacks occurring over several days in north London.
• The car targeted was a Toyota Rav 4 that Sir Keir had sold to a neighbor after it was damaged in a minor collision in 2020.
• A flat jointly owned by Sir Keir and a former girlfriend in 1991, but sold in 1997, was also torched two days after the collision.
• The Prime Minister's family home, where his sister-in-law now lives, was targeted in a suspected firebomb attack in the early hours of Monday morning.
• The investigation is being taken seriously, with Commander Dominic Murphy urging any MPs concerned about their safety to contact their dedicated local Operation Bridger officer for advice and support.
• The fact that the attacks showed a degree of "sophistication" and involved targeting properties all linked to Sir Keir has raised suspicions of potential planning and forethought.

Statistics:

• The number of investigations involving hostile states, such as Russia and Iran, has quadrupled in recent years, according to Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes.
• A group of six Bulgarians living in the UK received lengthy jail sentences for being part of a spying operation on behalf of Moscow last year.
• Russia has been linked to a number of arson attacks in Britain, including one on a Ukrainian-owned business in east London.

Sources:

• "Ex-chairman of Iran's Revolutionary Guard: Dissidents in exile 'plotting revolution'" by Campbell MacDiarmid, Masoud Popalzai and Amir Amir and Bahrain Saylan.
• "Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes on Counter-terrorism policing", The Counter Terrorism Command.
• Commander Dominic Murphy, statement to the press.